a random act of loveliness

this morning started as they all have the last two weeks.. a new time schedule and routine to accommodate SuperBoy starting the first grade (insert applause here) at a new school and also starting childcare at a new facility. it’s a bit of the same mixed with a lot of different. a time of adjustment, and an adjustment of time.

after running down the list of morning to-do’s, it was off to childcare and to the grocery store for me. as a pregnant woman, i seem to have limited control over my stomach. i eat and though i may feel that i haven’t room for any additional items, a not-so-subtle alert comes from the room addition known as “the belly” and i have to find something more. this morning, we wanted fruit. so after the check-in, high-five, hug and kiss, i left SuperBoy to his four-foot-friends and trotted off to the local grocery.

i entered the store, knowing exactly what i was looking for, searching for and prepared to purchase. i stopped in front of the refrigerated wall of pre-washed, pre-cut, pre-packaged fruits, vegetables and assorted salads. fruit for breakfast and salad for lunch! my mouth was already watering. as i stood there in my pregnant woman stance (that’s leaning back a little so as not to fall forward) an older gentleman entered my peripheral vision. as i looked up he stated gingerly “good morning” with a very heavy accent. i’d love to describe it to you, but my guess is that he was greek. 🙂 to follow is the short, but entertaining, conversation between the two of us. mind you, his accent was heavy and was accompanied by large hand motions and gestures to assist in our conversation (it was really very charming):

gentleman: good morning!

me: morning

gentleman: you working here?

me: no, i’m shopping.

gentleman: oh, i thought you >>motioning towards the wheely cart with prepackaged food stuffs on it<<

me: oh, no, that was here.

gentleman: you going working?

me: yes.

gentleman: >>turning his head twice and looking at my protruding belly<< you, uhhh, you have baby there?

me: yes, of course. >>smiling as i motion to the wheely cart full of packaged food stuffs<<

~ we both chuckle ~

gentleman: this is so good. whonnderfull! i wishing you, uhh, wishing you… >>hands in front of him, moving in circles as if he wanted to tell himself “get on with it”<< i wishing you good, uhhh, easy, uhhh… i wishing you…

we walked our opposite directions, both smiling. i left the store with my fruit. my salad. and a renewed sense of loveliness. this little conversation had made my day. my day actually got considerably uglier (as days tend to do), but back crept thoughts of my shopping friend and all i could do was smile. i felt that “glow” that everyone talks about when they see an exuberant pregnant woman. i felt warm and beautiful.

sometimes, just saying what’s on your mind can be exactly what someone else needs to hear. i can’t say that i’d never seen him before, perhaps i had — and we just didn’t interact or i didn’t remember him. but now, now i will never forget him. i hope to run into him after i’ve birthed my little darlings, so i can thank him again for “wishing me”. i wish him too.

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3 thoughts on “a random act of loveliness”

I know nothing, technically, of writing, but it seems you’ve become …well, better, in the time I’ve followed you….. kudos…
I grew up with my father having two close Greek friends who owned a diner we frequented. The Sarris brothers. They had noses and hands as big as hams…and personalities even larger. So I know the man you described so well.
So well written, I can feel your rosy glow from here! I’d love to “share” this on my FB Timeline, with your permission, that is.
Great to hear your words again, BSB…..Hugs from Michigan…tom

Of course, Tom, please share. I don’t know that I’ve gotten better, technically, as much as I write in the moment and publish almost haphazardly. I just “let it flow” if you will, and its always so much better than something I’ve thought long and hard about. I enjoy it more, when its “off the cuff” and it seems more well received. You have my permission to share it all. Thanks for following, and always encouraging. Xoxoo